Future Gopher Oliver Moore is first Minnesota player chosen in NHL draft

Connor Bedard was the star of the NHL draft on Wednesday in Nashville, going No. 1 overall to the Chicago Blackhawks.

Oliver Moore gets to ride on his coattails.

Moore was the first Minnesotan taken in the draft and probably will be a future teammate of Bedard, as he was chosen by the Blackhawks with the 19th pick.

Moore, an 18-year-old center who grew up in Mounds View, will play for the Gophers next season.

"Just super excited," Moore said after being drafted. "Any time you get the chance to kind of go into a rebuild like this, what they're trying to do, it's going to be special to be a part of. I think I can help them out along with that."

Blackhawks GM Kyle Davidson told reporters the team had been trying to trade up to get Moore.

"I did not envision a scenario where he would be available at No. 19," Davidson said.

Moore played prep hockey at Totino-Grace before two seasons at the U.S. National Team Development Program in Ann Arbor, Mich.

He was ranked the eighth-best North American prospect. Noted for his outstanding speed and playmaking, the 5-11, 195-pounder had 31 goals and 44 assists for 75 points in 61 games for the U.S. national under-18 team last season.

During the IIHF under-18 men's world championship in April, Moore contributed four goals and five assists in seven games to help the United States nab gold. He was invited by USA Hockey to the World Junior Summer Showcase, which is an evaluation for the next World Junior Championship.